 In George MacDonald's "At the Back of the North Wind" (serialized beginning in 1868 and published in book form in 1871), on the other hand, the East Wind is described as more mischievous than strictly evil; the North Wind comments, "...[O]ne does not exactly know how much to believe of what she says, for she is very naughty sometimes..."

Much in the same way, the East Wind symbolizes change in P. L. Travers' "Mary Poppins" series (published 1934–1988).Mary Poppins arrives at the Banks' house carried by the East Wind, but warns the children that she will only stay until the wind changes.At the end of the book, the West wind carries her away.